Assistant Registrar, Modern and Contemporary Art

Asia Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as an Assistant Registrar for Modern and Contemporary Art, where you'll play a crucial role in the exhibition planning process. This position involves liaising with various stakeholders, ensuring the proper handling and documentation of artworks, and managing budgets for exhibitions. You will be at the heart of preserving and showcasing contemporary art, contributing to a vibrant cultural dialogue. With a generous benefits package and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this is an opportunity to be part of an impactful institution that values your skills and creativity.

Benefits

Health Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Self-Development Hours

Self-Development Summer Fridays

Qualifications

• 1-5 years of Registrar experience required with responsibilities in art handling.
• Knowledge of museum collections management practices and preventive conservation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate exhibition planning and logistics for modern and contemporary art.
• Maintain accurate financial and logistic files regarding acquisitions.

Skills

Art Handling

Collections Management

Exhibition Planning

Interpersonal Communication

Project Budgeting

Preventive Conservation

Time-based Media Management

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

FileMaker Pro/TMS

Education

BA in Art History

M.A. in Museum Studies

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

FileMaker Pro/TMS

Job description

Assistant Registrar, Modern and Contemporary Art

Location: New York

Department: Arts & Culture

Reports to: Director, Collection and Exhibition Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $57,000 - $65,000

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Registrar functions as a liaison between the internal and external elements of exhibition planning and realization, with particular focus on modern and contemporary art. They are responsible for ensuring that all modern and contemporary artwork received into Asia Society’s custody is provided with the same care and protection as our own collection. The Assistant Registrar also creates and archives all documentation, physical or electronic, related to all activities associated with the contemporary art collection and any contemporary art objects on loan to the Museum. They are responsible for the physical care, handling, and display of the Museum’s contemporary art collection and of loans to assigned temporary exhibitions. The Assistant Registrar will need to remain current on all aspects of domestic and international shipping; local, state and federal government licensing and compliance associated with the transport and handling of artwork; issues regarding cultural patrimony and repatriation; and the fine art insurance industry. They will also be responsible for management of tours of exhibitions organized by Asia Society, as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As stated above, the Assistant Registrar functions as a liaison between the internal and external elements of exhibition planning and realization. Ranging from initial loan requests to shipping arrangements, he/she coordinates with the rest of the Museum Department to be sure that all paperwork and arrangements are in place in a timely and cost-effective manner for each exhibition presented by the Asia Society. The Assistant Registrar also maintains exhibition database information; relationships with lenders, both private and institutional, and vendors; and national and international traveling exhibitions.
• Responsible for the assembly and dispersal of all modern and contemporary objects lent to the Asia Society and for courier arrangements, as necessary, for incoming loans; performs courier duties for loans from the Asia Society Museum permanent collection and for traveling exhibitions organized and circulated by the Asia Society.
• Responsible for developing and coordinating project budgets in relation to specific exhibition and collection assignments, as assigned and in collaboration with Director of Collection and Exhibition Management and Director of Museum Operations and Administration. Assumes responsibility for oversight of expenditures related to contemporary exhibition projects and to the contemporary collection.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate files, both financial and logistic, regarding acquisitions for the contemporary collection; import and export licenses; applications to the federal Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Program and for Immunity from Judicial Seizure; and correspondence with U.S. Customs as related to specific assigned projects and the contemporary collection.
• Responsible for developing future contemporary art collection policy and guidelines, consistent with Asia Society Museum Collection Management principles and in collaboration with the Director of Collection and Exhibition Management, Director of Museum Operations and Administration, and Museum Director.
• Responsible for the documentation and handling of new acquisitions of contemporary art from initial presentation at collection acquisition committee meetings through acquisition and acceptance into the Museum’s permanent collection, including generation of deeds of gift, arrangements for insurance coverage, numbering and documenting artworks, and determining appropriate storage arrangements for acquisitions.
• Oversee photography for contemporary art collection and exhibitions, and provide images and rights and reproduction information to external entities and to departments within Asia Society.
• Manage communication with Art Resource and other image rights and reproductions organizations relating to the contemporary art collection.
• Maintenance of museum photo archive of the contemporary art collection.
• Assume the responsibilities of an Exhibition Manager for assigned exhibitions, and take on a key role when these exhibitions travel.
• Develop strategies and means to achieve cost savings and efficiency in project execution.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• BA in Art History, M.A. and/or certificate in Museum Studies preferred and 1-5 years Registrar experience required, with increasing responsibility for handling, packing, shipping, and insurance, and for customs clearance arrangements for incoming loans and temporary exhibitions, both domestic and international.
• Experience with modern and contemporary art in all mediums, including time-based media, preferred.
• Strong familiarity with time-based media collections management preferred.
• Experience organizing and circulating traveling exhibitions, including experience as a courier for exhibitions and loans.
• Thorough knowledge of standard museum collections management practices.
• Knowledge of preventive conservation and proper art handling.
• Knowledge of ethical principles and professional practices governing museum registration and collections management.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to demonstrate creativity, discretion, ability to troubleshoot and multi-task.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel), Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign and Photoshop), and FileMaker Pro/TMS as collections/exhibitions management database – familiarity with Monday.com, Slack, and other software applications, a plus.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary Range: $57,000 - $65,000

Compensation within this range is determined by skills, experience, and organizational equity.

Asia Society offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b)-retirement plan, numerous paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, self-development hours, and more. Please visit asiasociety.org/about/careers and click on “Employee Benefits” to view our full benefits summary.

Benefit package highlights:

• An HRA plan is available to supplement our medical plan.
• After 1 year of service (1,000 hours), the Asia Society contributes 6% of gross earnings to an eligible employee’s 403(b) account, regardless of whether the employee makes their own contributions.
• The Asia Society offers Self-Development time off, including Self-Development Summer Fridays between July 4th and Labor Day.

ABOUT ASIA SOCIETY:

Founded in 1956, Asia Society’s purpose is to navigate shared futures for Asia and the world across policy, arts and culture, education, sustainability, business, and technology. We provide a platform for dialogue and encourage a diversity of views as we try to find the most effective ways forward. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has 16 Global Centres around the world.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Subject line: Assistant Registrar, Modern and Contemporary Art

Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. Please regard your submission as received unless your email is bounced back.

Asia Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer who values diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility in the workplace. Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.